The heat of the day had been maddening, but sunset had brought no relief. The humid evening breeze made my thin robe cling to every curve and hollow of my body.

I was sheened with sweat by the time I reached the Lily Pool. The priestess of Mara had told me that this place was sacred to the Mother Goddess, and that if the proper ritual were performed I would meet my beloved. So here I was on the hottest night of the year, praying that this would work. I had been lonely far too long.

The Lily Pool was exceptionally lovely in the moonlight. The flowers that gave the pool its name grew in and around the pool, perfuming the air with their heady scent. The full, silvery-lilac moon was reflected in the water, giving the pool an ethereal glow.

I pulled out my offering to Mara-a jeweled bracelet, and cast it into the moon's reflection. "Mare, Blessed Mother, Goddess of Love, hear my plea," I said softly. "I know that I cannot force one to love me, but I ask instead that love come to me."

I wasn't sure if the goddess had heard me or not. I continued my ritual nonetheless. I stripped off the light blue cotton robe. The evening breeze caressed my naked skin, raising goose bumps in its wake. Clad only in moonlight, I stepped into the pool.

The water was deliciously warm against my skin. My nipples tightened into hard little buds as the pool splashed gently against my legs and body. I waded until it came to mid thigh and stopped.

"Goddess of Love, I beg a boon of thee," I said softly, using the ritual words I'd been given. "My heart aches, my body burns. Look into my heart and see what is there. Send the man who will be my love, that I might give myself to him."

The humid breeze ruffled my curly, shoulder length brown hair. I glanced at my reflection in the moonlit pool. The light outlined my rounded figure in a silvery glow. I thought of the one I desired most and sighed.

"Only if it be his will, Mother," I murmured. "Only if Nightshade desires me as I do him do I wish it."

I moved deeper into the pool. The water slid up and over my thighs, covering my virgin sex. I gasped in delight at the silken sensation against my tender flesh. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the feel. I was in my late seventies, young for a half elf, but I felt like an old maid. I'd touched myself when the aches became unbearable, but now I longed for a man's touch.

Nightshade's touch.

I gazed up to the moon. I'd met Nightshade and Zerith, his best friend, several weeks ago. I found both deliciously handsome, but it was Nightshade who stirred more than my blood.

I moved into the pool until the water flowed over my breasts. I shivered delightedly and said, "Blessed Mother, hear my plea. Nightshade has captured my heart. I would give him my body, if he desires it. I beg that you give me my deepest heart's desire, no matter what it might be."

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I didn't know if the ritual had worked or not, but it had been enjoyable. It wasn't forbidden to linger and swim in the pool, so I would do just that.

I lay back and floated amongst the lilies. I plucked on and inhales it's delicious scent, stroked the velvety petals. The white and silver blossom felt delicious under my fingers. Curious to see how it felt elsewhere, I trailed the flower over my throat and down to my breasts. Delicious little shivers ran through me, tightening my already hard nipples all the more. I stroked them lightly with the flower, arousing a deep and luscious ache between my thighs. I teased my nipples until I couldn't bear it any longer then slowly moved the lily down my torso over my belly. I moaned softly as I stroked my inner thighs with the moon lily, shuddering in anticipation as I moved it closer, closer still to my burning center.

"Nyxalinth."

The voice startled me out of my erotic daze. "Oh!" I flailed about until I managed to stand in the center of the pool, shivering with desire. Though the air was warm, it was cool against my wet skin. Of all times not to have my saber!

"I'm sorry if I startled you." Nightshade stepped from the moon-dappled ferns to stand at the pool's edge. "I-" He stopped, staring in open-mouthed wonder.

I stared back, too excited and scared to move. He was so very handsome in the moonlight. His long, night black hair was in a braid falling over his shoulder. His almond-shaped gray eyes were silvery with surprise and joy. He wore a deep purple tunic with black breeches and knee length leather boots. The only jewelry he wore was a silver earring in one slightly pointed ear.

I made no move to cover myself. "Did you ever wish for something and when it was given to you, you didn't know what to do?" I asked in a husky, trembling voice.

He nodded. "Aye. I came here because of the heat. I hoped that a swim would do me good." His eyes devoured my nude body. "You looked so beautiful floating there, with the lily..." His voice trailed off raggedly.

A fevered blush covered my face. "You saw," I whispered. I hid my face in my hands. "Ah, no, Nyx. Don't be ashamed. You are beautiful. Watching you was beautiful."

The tender passion in his voice stirred my heart. Trembling, I slowly uncovered my face. "Nightshade-"

"Hush," he ordered with gentle firmness. He unfastened his shirt ties. "I hope that you would be here, Nyx. I prayed that you would be here." He took off his shirt and hung it over a tree limb. Shadows and moonlight danced over his chest like the hands of a lover. He was muscular without being too brawny. I couldn't take my eyes from him.

He went on. "Don't think me a fool or a liar, Nyx, but I love you. I've loved you since first we met." He bent to remove his boots.

"Nightshade, I don't think you're a fool," I said softly. "I love you, too. I came here, begging a boon of Mara. I begged with her that if you were to be my love, my first lover, that you would come to me." I blushed and lowered my eyes.

"Nyx. Look at me."

Compelled by his voice, I raised my eyes to him. As I watched, Nightshade hooked his thumbs into his breeches and pulled them down. His eyes never left mine the whole time.

My eyes moved over him slowly, taking him in, lovingly committing him to memory. He smiled at my surprise when my gaze lingered on his manroot jutting proudly upward from its nest of black curls. I shuddered in delight and fear.

Nightshade joined me in the pool. "Fear not, honey. There will be some pain-I won't lie to you. But I assure that I'll fit just fine."

"I-I know." I took a deep breath and pressed myself against the hard length of his body. His manroot jumped against my belly and something wonderful flared deep within me in response. I twined my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "Love me, Nightshade!"

He chuckled gently and slid his tight arms about my waist. "Not yet, honey. You're not yet ready for me. Remember the wonderful feelings you felt when you caressed yourself with the lily?"

Blushing, I nodded.

"I need to do things to you that will make you feel that way." His hands slid down my waist to cup the swell of my buttocks. "More than that, I want to do them."

He pulled me tightly against him. Once again his manroot throbbed insistently against my trembling belly. I tried to reach down and touch him but he shook his head.

"No, Nyx. Not Yet. I will pleasure you, my love."

"Nightshade-"

The half elven bard cut off my protests with his warm, sweet lips pressing against my own. I returned his kiss hesitantly, unsure of what to do, knowing only that his lips and hands were turning my flesh to warm honey.

With tender passion Nightshade nudged my lips apart with his silken tongue. I gasped in delighted surprise as he teased my tongue. I moaned softly and stroked his mouth with my lips and tongue, then caught his tongue in my teeth and nipped it lightly.

Nightshade licked the inside of my upper lip with sensuous delight. Wicked thrills made my knees tremble madly and I clung to him, helpless with need.

We kissed and nibbled each other's mouths, drove each other to sweet frenzy with kisses alone. I was wonderfully aware of how my breasts pressed against his smooth chest, my nipples tight and aching. The sultry breeze cooled my wet, naked skin, making me shiver in his arms.

"You're cold," he said softly. And no wonder, you're glistening wet." He grinned wickedly. "I wonder where else you might be wet?"

"Oh!" I hid my reddening face in his shoulder, giggling.

"Come, honey. I will warm you." Nightshade took my hand and led me from the pool. I shivered as the night air caressed my skin. "So beautiful," he whispered, and knelt before me.

I gasped as he ran his tongue over my calf, licking the water from my skin. Slowly he worked his way around to my shin until my leg was dry. I nearly swooned, so sensuous was the feel of his lips and tongue. He did the same for my other leg, slowly working his way back and forth, higher and higher. I swayed, drunk with passion. I put my hands on his head to steady myself and my fingers twined into his silky black hair. I felt like I was drowning in thick, hot honey as his tongue licked away the drops on my thighs.

Gently, Nightshade nuzzled my heated sex. I cried out as he nudged my quivering thighs apart. "Open for me, honey. Ah yes, that's it. I've waited so long for this." His gentle fingers stroked my nether lips before slowly pulling them back. "I've dreamed of tasting you."

His warm tongue caressed me with smooth, sensuous strokes, making me gasp sharply. My grasp became a cry as his mouth fastened on the tiny jewel and sucked leisurely upon it.

"Oh, Nightshade! Oh yes! Yes!" I threw my head back and my hips rose to meet his sweet mouth. And then he pulled away from me, making me whimper with despair.

"No love, fear not. I'm not yet finished with you. I want you to lie down."

Trembling, I lay atop a soft cushion of moss, awaiting the next delight. Nightshade picked up the lily I had toyed with and lay down beside me. He gently touched it to my forehead, my cheeks, and my closed eyelids before brushing it over my lips.

"You gave me wicked ideas, honey," he whispered. "It was so beautiful, watching you do this." He moved the lily over my throat, making my pulse flutter. He bent and kissed the hollow of my throat and as the lily moved lower his lips followed, scorching me with their heated caress.

I moaned softly, my head thrown back to expose my throat to him. His pointed tongue traced each vein, each tendon before moving lower.

Nightshade circled my breast with the lily and his tongue followed in the flower's wake. I longed to feel the lily brush over my tingling nipples and I ached for his tongue to do the same. I arched myself eagerly up to him, reveling in the sweet torment, needing more.

He chuckled at my intensity. "Patience, my honey love. Be patient, and let me pleasure you."

"Nightshade! I burn!"

"Yes, I know." He kissed my nipple, making me cry out. "But it will be sweeter this way."

I writhed and moaned under his lips and the lily as he brushed them over my nipples. And when he at last drew one of the throbbinc points into his slippery mouth I cried out in delight, fingers tangling into his braid. He sucked upon my breast with long, slow draws as he caressed my other breast with the lily.

Never had I experienced such ecstasy! The feel of his lips on my breast and the velvety blossom teasing the other sent me spiraling into a passionate frenzy. My cries and moans filled the air and when Nightshade gently but firmly flicked his wicked tongue over my nipple, nibbling it all the while, I thought I would die.

Slowly, Nightshade worked his way down my quivering body, licking here, kissing there. His tongue found my navel and darted into it, making me squeal. He laughed. "I'd forgotten how ticklish you can be, honey. Shall I tickle you with my tongue elsewhere?"

His suggestive smile sent me over the edge. "Oh, Nightshade! Yes !"

"Open your legs for me, He whispered and when I did he used one hand to carefully part the petals of my sex. With the other he lightly fluttered the velvety lily over my exposed flesh.

With a wild cry I lifted my hips to meet his caresses. My woman's honey flowed freely, covering the petals of the flower. Ecstasy reached for me and gathered me into its honeyed embrace and at the peak of my delight Nightshade thrust his tongue into me. His tongue then the lily, back and forth, until I shrieked my joy as ecstasy claimed me for its own once more.

"Nyx," Nightshade whispered hoarsely against my softness. "Ah, my love."

He rose up and covered me with his long hard body. The tip of that hard male member nudges its way between the folds of my swollen, slippery sex.

I cried out in fear and delight as Nightshade rubbed himself against me. Without warning, he reared back and plunged himself into me.

Deep, burning pain stabbed into me. I cried out in more than the pain of our joining, however-I cried out in rapture and terror, for I knew that he now held my heart in his hands.

"Shh," Nightshade soothed me tenderly. He kissed away my tears while he waited for my pain to subside. "It's all right honey, my love. I'll not leave you. We belong to each other now." His lips kissed mine as slowly, gently, he began to move inside me.

I gasped as fiery, sensuous warmth replaced pain. I lifted my hips to meet him and we moved together as one.

"Lift your legs for me, love," Nightshade gasped. "Ahh, yes!"

I whimpered as he slid in to the hilt. There was no pain now, just a sensation of frenzied heat deep inside me. We rocked together, lost in each other, kissing, kissing, our hands never still.

"Ahh, You are so delicious !" He groaned. "Being inside you is like being inside warm, sweet cream."

Moaning I threw back my head. I desperately sought that peak of delight his mouth had given me, but it eluded me. The delicious tightness, the sweet burning was there, but I could not peak. I sobbed in frustrated passion as Nightshade shuddered atop me.

"Ahh, Nyx! My love!" he cried and poured his love into me.

Whimpering, I quivered beneath him. Nightshade rolled off me, then tenderly gathered me into his arms and stroked my still trembling body.

"I'm sorry that you didn't reach your own sweet Oblivion," he told me, caressing my back.

"It was lovely, Nightshade,' I told him, and I meant it. I kissed his nose.

"I'm glad. Fear not, my love. Despite what those romance novels you enjoy so much say, when a woman gives her virginity it isn't instant delight." He kissed my face tenderly. "These things take time."

"How much time?" I asked, kissing the side of his neck, savoring the sweet salt of his skin.

Nightshade turned us over so that he was once again the master. Smiling seductively, he murmured, "Well, there's only one way to find out."